Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Volcano Season Update:

12/16/14

The ongoing #quakeswarm near Lakeview, Oregon on the Nevada border continues to quietly rage on with no let up in more than 2 months. Yellowstone continues to "Burp" SO2 and Methane, Mt Shasta sheds glaciers, and Mt Saint Helens #MagmaChamber is Re-Charging. With the continued uptick in Global Volcanism and stronger Seismic events on the increase,

When we will see a significant eruption in the Inter Mountain West?

The previously thought to be Dormant Cascadia Fault Zone is poised for a Major Slippage event. We here at MP are not Seismologists, Volcanologists or Climate Scientists.We can see a Trend and it shows that we are in the middle of what some have deemed #VolcanoSeason. We are not Predicting an Earthquake or Eruption, yet, Be Prepared for Seismic events if you live near one of these areas. _MP

16.12.2014Current reports from the area in the corner of Nevada shows over 120 #quakes in the last 7 Days. The temblors have been growing steadily stronger with time. Six earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater have struck the area since Tuesday and about 40 have struck in the last 24 hours, This week it has just gone crazy

07.11.2014The swarm is beneath an uninhabited part of the Nevada desert near the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, but officials are telling the public, especially the almost 2,300 residents of Lakeview, to develop earthquake plans if they haven't already."If you are not ready for an earthquake, now is an awfully good time to get ready for an earthquake," said Alison Ryan, a spokeswoman for the department. - LATimes.com

About 750 earthquakes, mostly magnitude 2.0 to 3.0, have struck the area about 50 miles southeast of Lakeview, Ore., since the swarm started in July, said Ian Madin, chief scientist for Oregon's Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. "This week it has just gone crazy," Madin said. - LATimes.com

November 7, 2014By JAVIER PANZAR EarthquakesA swarm of hundreds of earthquakes that has been striking a corner of the Nevada desert near the Oregon border for months has intensified in recent days, prompting new warnings from seismologists. About 750 earthquakes, mostly magnitude 2.0 to 3.0, have struck the area about 50 miles southeast of Lakeview, Ore., since the swarm started in July, said Ian Madin, chief scientist for Oregon's Department of Geology and Mineral Industries.The temblors have been growing steadily stronger with time. Six earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater have struck the area since Tuesday and about 40 have struck in the last 24 hours, Madin said."This week it has just gone crazy," Madin said.The swarm is beneath an uninhabited part of the Nevada desert near the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, but officials are telling the public, especially the almost 2,300 residents of Lakeview, to develop earthquake plans if they haven't already."If you are not ready for an earthquake, now is an awfully good time to get ready for an earthquake," said Alison Ryan, a spokeswoman for the department.Scientists believe groundwater is slowly percolating along the faults and building up pressure, making movement on the faults much easier, said John Vidale, director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network at the University of Washington."It doesn't necessarily mean anything big is coming, but it does raise the risk there will be a bigger quake in the future," he said. "Ninety-nine percent of the time nothing too dramatic happens, but every now and then there is a good pop and everyone asks why we didn't predict it."Read more:http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-swarm-earthquakes-oregon-nevada-20141107-htmlstory.html

Monday, November 3, 2014

After last Season's Brutality, many Preppers and #OffGridders are turning to Wood as a renewable, reliable Off Grid Heating and Power source.We caught the following from Survivopedia about ideas for the use for the ash that builds up.Stay Safe.

If you’re going to be burning wood, you’re going to have a ton (maybe literally!) of ash by the end of the winter, so what on earth are you going to do with it all? Re-use it, that’s what! There are a ton of uses for wood ash, and we’re going to touch on a few of those today.

Wood ash is extremely alkaline and contains potassium (potash) and calcium, which makes it great for several different purposes around the farm. It also likely contains sulfur, phosphorus, sodium, zinc, manganese, iron, copper, cobalt, magnesium and molybdenum, all of which are great for your plants depending upon your type of soil. That’s just the tip of the iceberg though. Let’s talk ash!

1. Tanning Hides

If you’ve ventured into the land of tanning at all, you probably know that brains are a common method for naturally tanning the hide into water-resistant, durable leather. However, the brains take forever to get the job done if you don’t break down the natural mucopolysaccharides, called ground substance, that protect the hide.

The Native Americans had this method down, and guess what does the trick! Yup, wood ash and water. Just soak it for 2-4 days and you’ll only have to brain-tan it once.

2. Natural Camouflage

This is kind of a no-brainer but there may come a time when you just don’t want to be seen. You may be hunting or you may be waiting for human predators to invade your space. Whatever the reason, wood ash is a quick, natural camouflage.

On a similar note, sunburn can be lethal and if you don’t have any sunscreen, rub wood ash on your skin to block the sun’s rays.

Wood ash is great for certain types of soil, specifically soil that is overly acidic. This includes many of the sandier soils in places such as Florida. Almost without fail, alkaline-loving plants such as onions, garlic and leeks will flourish if you add a bit of wood ash to the soil around them.

A COMPREHENSIVE, STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO FULLY PREPARE YOUR FAMILY FOR ANY CATACLYSMIC EVENTWelcome to the most important class you’ll ever take. In this dangerous world, there’s no place where disaster won’t find you. Your only option is to get educated. Presenting a straightforward 52-week course to becoming a full-fledged prepper, this book guides you step-by-step with everything from simple tools for storing food and water to advanced techniques for defending your family and property:• Learn to stock, treat, use and reuse the most important survival item of all—water• Store enough food to feed your family for three months without breaking the bank• Develop the emergency skills to respond effectively to any catastrophic event• Fortify and protect your home with affordable and manageable DIY projects• Create a prepper savings account to ensure your family’s well-being If you want to make it out alive, you can’t rely on hope or help from others, you need to be ready to act on your own.

Update:

29.10.2014NASA Warns Public to Stay Away from Antares Rocket Debris

People who live near the Virginia site where a private Antares rocket crashed and burned Tuesday (Oct. 28) should take special care to avoid contacting any of the booster's remains, NASA officials warn.

The rocket, built by Orbital Sciences Corp., exploded in a massive fireball just seconds after blasting off from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia's Wallops Island Tuesday evening, scattering debris over a wide area. This debris could be contaminated with rocket fuel or other hazardous material and should thus not be touched, NASA officials said.

"There may be a possibility of debris washing up onto some of the beaches, into some of the areas surrounding the island," Wallops director Bill Wrobel said during a post-crash news conference Tuesday night. "If people do find any debris, or anything that might be suspect — something that doesn't look familiar — we would ask that you stay away from the area and please call our incident response team." [See photos of the Antares rocket explosion]

An Orbital Sciences Antares rocket explodes in flames during a failed launch on Oct. 28, 2014 from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia. The rocket was carrying an unmanned Cygnus spacecraft filled with 5,055 lb. of cargo.

The crash does not endanger the astronauts aboard the International Space Station, who have plenty of food, water and other critical supplies, NASA officials said. In addition, an unmanned Russian Progress spacecraft launched toward the station early Wednesday from Kazakhstan, carrying about 3 tons of cargo.

Nobody was injured in the Antares explosion, though it did cause some property damage on the south end of Wallops Island, Wrobel said.

Antares' first stage is fueled by liquid oxygen and kerosene. The kerosene likely burned off in the explosion, while the liquid oxygen will dissipate into the atmosphere, said Orbital executive vice president Frank Culbertson.

But the second stage contains potentially hazardous solid fuel that may have survived the blast, and the Cygnus spacecraft's hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide fuel needs to be handled properly as well, Culbertson added.

"We highly encourage people not to try to enter this area or get close to it, either from the water or the land," he said during Tuesday's news conference. "And certainly don't go souvenir hunting along the beach."

Orbital Sciences isn't the only private company to hold a cargo deal with NASA. SpaceX signed a $1.6 billion contract to make 12 unmanned supply runs with its Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX has successfully completed four of these missions to date.

Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us@Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.

An unmanned rocket headed for the International Space Station to deliver supplies exploded on launch from Wallops Island, Va., Tuesday.

The Antares rocket supplied by contractor Orbital Sciences blew up six seconds after liftoff at NASA's space launch facility on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, the space agency said.

NASA and Orbital Sciences were gathering data to determine the cause of the failure of the Orbital CRS-3, the space agency said.

"There has been a vehicle anomaly," Orbital Sciences, the contractor supplying the rocket, said on its Twitter feed.

The rocket had been scheduled for takeoff on Monday night but the launch was postponed when a boat entered a hazard area down range.The launch was to have begun a fourth space station delivery for the Virginia-based Orbital Sciences.

The Antares rocket was scheduled to launch at 6:22 p.m. The rocket was intended to propel the Cygnus vehicle, packed with 5,050 pounds of cargo, to rendezvous with the space station.

Official: “Plant Emergency” at U.S. Nuclear Facility, Uranium Gas Released — Eyewitnesses: “There’s the plume… It was moving across highway… Chemical taste in mouth… I could smell it!” — Size of release unknown — Emergency crew trying to find source and whether it has stopped (VIDEO)

WPSD (emphasis added): Calls to the newsroom… over a rumor that the Honeywell plant… is leaking uranium hexafloride [UF6] … into the community… Sheriff’s Office [says it] is releasing UF6 [but] no one is in any danger… Spokesperson Peter Dalpe [said there's] no… indication that any material has left the building… the plant immediately notified emergency responders as per emergency procedures.Paducah Sun: [The plant in Illinois] experienced a leak of a radioactive gas… emergency personnel are still working to find the specific source of the leak…A picture of the plant shrouded in mist was circulating… with speculation that the mist was the actual leaking gas.West Kentucky Star: [We] received pictures and videos… showing a white, cloudy substance above the plant, moving off to the west… Emergency Management Director Joe Miller [said] Honeywell was under a plant emergency.AP: The plant helps make nuclear fuel… the company and union-backed workers… are embroiled in a contract dispute. Employees have been locked out of the site…DOE: UF6… is the chemical form of uranium used during the uranium enrichment process.WSIL: Honeywell released new information Monday… “The plant is continuing its investigation into the incident and working to determine how much material was released.”… The local union president posted a picture showing a white vapor over the plant… News release [said the] “response team is currently working to ensure the leak has been stopped completely.”… Pictures taken at the plant Sunday night showed white… cloudy substance… Dalpe said it is spray from water that used to contain leaks… [UF6] reacts with water.Wikipedia: UF6… reacts with the water in the air to produce uranyl fluoride and hydrogen fluoride both of which are highly corrosive and toxic… EU classification: Very toxic

Excerpts from videos published by Steelworker Local 7-669 Union support page — Part 1: “Wind’s blowing to the west… See the haze… that’s all release — UF6… You can see the spray… they’re trying to mitigate it” — Part 2: “There’s the plume of UF6 leaving Honeywell’s property… No fog out… There’s the cloud of either UF6 or HF going right over the fence”> Marla L.: I could smell something in the air when we went into town> Janet H.: Chemical taste in our mouth… Maybe lil’ headache too> Chelle F.: It was shooting out like a geyser an hour ago… it has definitely left the property. I drove by it… and took the interstate home… it was HUGE — Part 2: It is far from contained> Melissa B.: Didn’t look contained…It was moving across [US] 45…smelled like polish remove!!> Rachel D.: My mom… on mt Mission Rd… can smell something… Dad is currently in chemo> Me’Lissa E.: I live just past Joppa road and could smell it!

Space Weather Alert:

10/27/2014 @ 14:40 UTC#X-Flare #6 Detected

A strong X2.0 solar flare, now the sixth X-Class event around region 2192, was detected at 14:47 UTC. The event triggered a strong R3 radio black on the sunlit side of Earth. So far the event does not appear to be eruptive, meaning a noteworthy CME is not expected. More details to follow. Click HERE for an updated event log.

A strong X2.0 solar flare, now the sixth X-Class event around region 2192, was detected at 14:47 UTC Monday morning (Oct 27). The event triggered a strong R3 radio black on the sunlit side of Earth. More details to follow.

Updated 10/27/2014 @ 11:30 UTC

Solar Update / Flare WatchGood morning folks. Below is an updated look at the visible solar disk on Monday. Solar activity continued at high levels with at least 8 M-Class solar flares detected around region 2192 during the past 24 hours. Noteworthy events include an M7.1 flare at 00:34 UTC, and an M6.7 flare at 10:09 UTC Monday morning. Despite the ongoing flare output, we have yet to observe a substantial coronal mass ejection. The active region (2192) will remain a threat for additional moderate to strong solar flares as it gradually approaches the west limb. All other visible sunspot regions were stable. Continue to monitor SolarHam.com for the most up to date spaceweather data and imagery.

The recent activity in Japan, South America, Iceland, Hawaii, and the new activity on the California/Nevada border has us very concerned.#Yellowstone continues to be an ongoing threat...

As our previous post on Volcanism, we are watching Dormant and Extinct volcano systems worldwide show a Dramatic increase in activity.

An example of the possible distribution of ash from a month-long Yellowstone supereruption. The distribution map was generated by a new model developed by the U.S. Geological Survey using wind information from January 2001. The improved computer model, detailed in a new study published in Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, finds that the hypothetical, large eruption would create a distinctive kind of ash cloud known as an umbrella, which expands evenly in all directions, sending ash across North America. Ash distribution will vary depending on cloud height, eruption duration, diameter of volcanic particles in the cloud, and wind conditions, according to the new study. Credit: USGS

10/22/2014 — TWO extinct volcanoes could blow in South America — Last erupted 160,000 yrs ago

TWO volcanoes in South America could erupt any time ... last time they erupted 160,000 years ago!!!!Now I think we can say things are getting a bit strange geologically. The amount of unrest picking up is phenomenal to say the least:

The last eruption 160,000 years ago? This now confirms that extinct / dormant volcanoes are showing activity.Cerro Negro volcano, and Volcán Chiles volcanic complex are located along the border of Columbia and Ecuador. Both ancient volcanoes are experiencing unrest ..... Authorities worried a recent large earthquake in the area is a sign of impending eruption.

"Authorities in southwestern Colombia have raised alert levels on Tuesday after a 5.6M earthquake hit the border region, sparking concerns that two nearby volcanoes might erupt in a matter of days.

Colombia’s Geological Service have changed the alert level of two volcanoes from yellow to orange. The two volcanoes are Cerro Negro and Chiles, both active on Colombia’s southern border to Ecuador.

The orange alert level is defined by the Geological Service as “probable eruption in term of days to weeks.”

The earthquake that hit the border region causes a scare on both side of the border.

Officials in the Colombian town of Cumbal, near the quake’s epicenter, were quoted as saying by The Associated Press that they formed an emergency committee to survey possible damage. But so far, there were no reports of injuries in the town of 36,000 residents, the majority of them members of an indigenous tribe.

If the volcanoes are to erupt, it will mostly affect the state Nariño. Local state government have started to take security measures in order prevent tragedies.

Nariño government officials have recommended suspending school classes, delivered a special communication system to indigenous communities in the area and offered the indigenous communities tents if the evacuate their premise while the volcanoes are on high alert.

Neither one of the volcanoes have erupted in the past 160,000 years."In light of this South American / Central American volcanic activity, we need to pay attention to the OTHER dormant + extinct volcanoes showing movement.A perfect example of what we need to look out for , last nights 3.1M in Central Nevada at the volcanic "Lunar" crater complex.Seeing movement at areas like Lunar Craters National Park is a sign that the Pacific plate is causing serious unrest in areas we were all taught were extinct , or dormant.38.287°N 116.437°W

Also, worthy to note the recent activity in Japan, multiple volcanic eruptions, and one completely unexpected eruption which killed over 40 people hiking on the dormant volcano , Ontake, on the mainland of Japan.

Last but not least, we need to remember the entire previous month, September 2014, was INCREDIBLY ACTIVE when it came to volcanic activity... California, Arizona, Washington State, Bardarbunga in Iceland, and several other events which show the unrest to be growing.

Madtown Preppers Alerts are for informational use only. These alerts purpose is to inform you of news events in order for you to adjust your family preparedness programs. We believe that knowledge is power and in order for you to make informed decisions, we try and bring you verified information, not to increase fear but to inform you. We do not endorse any of the sources we link to in any article.

Monday, October 20, 2014

#GetPreppedSun Oven Giveaway!!!

The folks at the All American Sun Oven company have teamed up with a large group of bloggers and we are giving away a deluxe Sun Oven! The retail price of this set is $399! But that is only the start of the reasons why you should enter to try and win this oven.

Using a sun oven can help you be more frugal by cutting your utility bills. Wouldn't it be great to have that bill lowered. Cooking in a sun oven is just as easy as using a conventional oven and really only takes a few minutes longer in the cooking cycle. Prepare your recipe using a little less liquid in casseroles, soups and stews. For baked goods use the same amounts of liquids as the recipe calls for. Find the optimal direction of the sun and get cooking. Of course, using a sun oven does require the sun to be available. However, it is possible to obtain good results even on a partly cloudy day.
The All American Sun Oven is manufactured right here in the USA.

The company stands behind their product. Globally, Sun Oven has worked to bring this off grid cooking solution to many undeveloped parts of the world, allowing people to eat healthier, cooked foods.

The All AmericanSUN OVEN®

helps you harness the power of the sun. One source of power that never fails is the light of the sun. Whether you’re dealing with a power outage or conserving energy, the SUN OVEN® enables you can capture the power of the sun to cook without fuel.

Lets You Create Your Favorite Recipes

You can cook almost anything – breads, cakes, muffins, pizza, vegetables, poultry, fish, meats, casseroles, grains, pasta, and desserts, just to name a few.

Provides High Cooking Temperatures

Reach temperatures of 360 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which are more than sufficient to bake, boil, or steam your favorite foods.

Makes Foods Taste Better

Sun-baked foods stay moister and have less shrinkage than conventional oven-cooked foods.

You Choose The Cooking Time: Fast or Slow

Cooks in as little as 20 minutes longer than cooking in a conventional oven or stove top, or lets you slow cook all day.

Heats Water

Heat water for drinking, doing dishes, and personal hygiene.

Is Ruggedly Built

Not a toy. It is a serious appliance that is made for years of trouble-free use.

Most Energy Efficient Way to Rehydrate Food Storage

Uses less energy and water to rehydrate and cook dehydrated and freeze dried foods.

Is a Great Hedge Against Power Interruptions

Be prepared for any interruption to traditional power sources. You will be able to cook any kind of food as well as boil water. You can enjoy peace of mind in knowing that as long as there is sunshine, you will have all the power you need to cook all your meals.

NEVER BURN DINNER AGAIN

There is never any burning or scorching to ruin a meal.

THE ALL AMERICANSUN OVEN®…

E-Z Sun-track indicators

The E-Z Sun-track indicators have two holes. As the light of the sun shines through the top hole, a small round dot of light will appear inside the indicator. When the oven is perfectly aligned with the sun, the round dot will be centered over the bottom hole.

Extra thick Ultra WhiteTM Transparent Glass

The Ultra WhiteTM transparent Glass is 25% thicker than the glass on priorSUN OVENS® for increased shatter resistance and improved insulation.

Dual purpose leveling rack

The All AmericanSUN OVEN® is equipped with a dual-purpose leveling rack which hangs inside the oven and swings freely to prevent spilling of food in a pot on the rack. The dual-purpose leveling rack can also be set on the floor of the oven to increase the usable area inside the SUN OVEN®.

Wind resistant alignment leg with ground stakes

Allows you to raise or lower the oven’s orientation to meet the sun on the horizon with increased stability. To prevent blowing over in high winds, the alignment leg can be staked to the ground or tied to a table.

We at MP are happy to work with a company that has a giving mission. With all the benefits of lower utility bills, being prepared to cook without fuel or electricity, and supporting a wonderful company, who wouldn't want to own a Sun Oven! So lets get to the giveaway...